Fight for Life Foundation

What Fight for Life Foundation does

Fight for Life Foundation (FFLF) is an Indianapolis-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2007 by former Indianapolis Colts cornerback and Super Bowl champion Marlin Jackson. Its mission is to help underserved adolescents develop the social and emotional skills required for success, operating two interlocking programs: Building Dreams, a proprietary behavioral-health SaaS platform delivered as a web application across tablets, desktops, laptops, and mobile devices; and Be A Blessing, a wraparound care initiative that provides field trips, mental health counseling, emergency family assistance, and celebrations to users of the platform. Building Dreams is structured as an evidence-based Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) with integrated Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), self-assessments, multi-stakeholder communication tools, gamified reinforcement (First Downs, Extra Points), an SEL Video Library, accessibility features (Text Reader Toggle), and behavior-accountability workflows (Sack Reflection, Emotional Exploration). The platform applies machine-learning analytics to identify causes of absenteeism and recommend interventions from structured behavioral data.

FFLF monetizes through a hybrid nonprofit-SaaS model. Schools and youth-serving organizations license the Building Dreams platform as subscription software, while the broader operating budget is funded through tax-deductible donations (suggested tiers of $25-$500), corporate sponsorships (e.g., $5,500 Silver sponsorships from Republic Airways and FireFly for the Champions Breakfast), and grants (including a $20,000 grant from the Indianapolis Colts' Kicking the Stigma initiative). Go-to-market is direct enterprise field sales to K-12 schools and youth organizations, supported by a 7-phase Proven Process (Discover, Partner, Onboard, Train, Implement, Support, Impact), annual events (Building Dreams Champions Breakfast, Colts Trivia Night), community-led volunteer programs, and earned media in outlets such as WISHTV, WRTV, IBJ, and Inside Higher Ed. Primary customers are K-12 schools, with secondary segments in summer learning sites, community centers, youth organizations, universities, and strategic partners; as of the 2025-26 school year the platform reports 13 partner sites, 18,000+ students reached, 6,056 active users, and 217,881 positive behaviors documented.

The organization operates with a very lean core staff (1-10 employees) augmented by board members, a Development Specialist, Implementation Specialist, Creative Director, External Relations Consultant, Data Analysis Intern, and specialized service partners (Ellie Mental Health, Growth & New Horizons for counseling; Black Onyx Management for program evaluation; Counterpart for technology development; Salesforce and Fretless as prior ideation partners). Recognition includes the 2024 Indiana Department of Child Services Prevention Service Provider of the Year, TechPoint Mira Award nominations in 2021 and 2023, and Midwest Decision Science Institute Best Research Paper awards in 2021 and 2022. FFLF's stated growth target is to expand across the Midwest and beyond by 2026 from its Indianapolis base.

Name

Fight for Life Foundation

Legal name

Fight For Life Foundation

Website

https://fightforlifefoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Fight for Life Foundation is an Indianapolis 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers Building Dreams, a proprietary MTSS-aligned SEL SaaS platform, and the Be A Blessing wraparound program to K-12 schools and youth-serving organizations across Indiana. The platform combines behavioral data analytics with mental health, family support, and enrichment services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

K-12 Social-Emotional Learning Software

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Child and Youth Services (62411), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Behavioral Intervention & PBIS Supports (Tiered, Gen Ed) (EDAJAGAL), Behavior, Discipline, PBIS/MTSS & Intervention Tracking (EDAFAEAJ), K–12 Support & School Improvement Nonprofits (BPAGADAB)

Keywords

• Social emotional learning
• Behavioral health SaaS
• K-12 education technology
• Multi-tiered system supports
• Youth development programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Indianapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. SaaS Platform Licensing: Fight for Life Foundation operates a business structure where Building Dreams technology is delivered as Software as a Service (SaaS) to schools and youth-serving organizations. Schools and organizations pay for access to the Building Dreams platform, data analytics, and support services.
2. Donations and Contributions: Tax-deductible contributions under Section 501(c)(3) from individuals and organizations. Donation tiers support Building Dreams materials for students, classrooms, and schools.
3. Corporate Sponsorships: Sponsorship levels with marketing opportunities, brand visibility, event sponsorship, and press release inclusion. Silver sponsors like Republic Airways contributed $5,500 for Champions Breakfast.
4. Grants: Grant funding from organizations such as Indianapolis Colts' Kicking the Stigma ($20,000 grant), Indiana Department of Child Services, and other foundations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Fight for Life Foundation delivers the Building Dreams SaaS platform, an evidence-based Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) that helps K-12 schools and youth-serving organizations monitor social-emotional needs, track behavior, and improve classroom culture through self-assessments, PBIS tools, gamified reinforcement, and machine-learning analytics. The foundation complements the platform with the Be A Blessing wraparound program, providing mental health counseling, field trips, emergency family assistance, classroom supplies, and holiday celebrations to platform users.

Product overview

Fight for Life Foundation operates as a dual-entity organization combining nonprofit social services with a technology SaaS business. The core product is Building Dreams, a proprietary behavioral health SaaS platform providing evidence-based Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) for social-emotional learning. This platform is complemented by Be A Blessing, a wraparound care initiative that provides real-life resources and experiences (field trips, mental health support, family assistance) for users of the Building Dreams platform. Building Dreams includes multiple integrated features: Check in/out for daily student wellness tracking, First Downs for positive behavior gamification, Emotional Exploration for guided emotion processing, SEL Video Library for educational content, Extra Points for peer recognition, Text Reader Toggle for accessibility, and Sack Reflection for behavior accountability. The platform uses machine learning for predictive analytics on absenteeism and academic outcomes.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Building Dreams: A proprietary digital platform for whole-child success that uses in-classroom data collection specific to behavior and participation, including self-assessments, positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS), communication tools and advanced data analytics. It's an evidence-based Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) behavioral health SaaS technology.
• Be A Blessing

Products and services

• Building Dreams Proprietary behavioral health SaaS platform and evidence-based Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) that helps K-12 schools and youth-serving organizations create infrastructure to build relationships while monitoring social-emotional needs and behavior. Uses gamified tools for goal-setting, decision-making, and building healthy wellness habits, with machine-learning analytics for absenteeism and academic outcomes.
• Be A Blessing Wraparound care initiative within Building Dreams that provides real-life relief, opportunity, and joy for students, families, and educators through field trips, mental health support, emergency family assistance, classroom supplies, and holiday celebrations.

Quantifiable outcome

• 217,881 positive behaviors documented in 2025-26 school year
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Feature12 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• The Inspiration Co.minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Launched limited-edition 'Be A Blessing' Bracelet sold at Castleton Square Mall and Greenwood Park Mall. 20% of proceeds support FFLF educator mental wellness initiatives.
• Black Onyx ManagementcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partnership in 2025 to develop Building Dreams program theory of change and logic model. Conducted program evaluation and presented findings to 30 stakeholders at Polk Stables Lunch and Learn.
• Ellie Mental HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partner in free mental health counseling program for educators. Provides counseling sessions for 46 educators through partnership with Fight for Life Foundation and Kicking the Stigma grant.
• Growth & New HorizonscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partner in free mental health counseling program for educators. Provides counseling sessions as part of Be A Blessing teacher support initiative.
• Simon MallsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partnership to create Staff Zen Room at Sankofa School of Success. Simon Malls provides resources and support for educator wellness spaces.
• Republic AirwayscoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Silver Sponsor for 3rd Annual Building Dreams Champions Breakfast ($5,500 sponsorship). Provides field trip experiences at headquarters for Building Dreams students.
• FireFlycoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Silver Sponsor for 3rd Annual Building Dreams Champions Breakfast. Invests in future of community and building dreams through SEL programming.
• CounterpartcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2019Work began with Counterpart on technology development in 2019. Counterpart developed Building Dreams Software as a Service launched in schools.
• FretlesscoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2018Worked with Fretless on technology ideation work in 2018 for Building Dreams platform development.
• SalesforcecoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2016Partnered with Salesforce's Coding4Kindness for software concept ideation process in 2016. Salesforce provided technical expertise and platform resources for early technology development.
• Paco's TaqueriasminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal restaurant partner providing catering for events including Lunch and Learn stakeholder presentation.
• Butler UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner supporting FFLF mission and programs.
• Indiana UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner in FFLF mission.
• Spark HRminorOthersBusiness operations partner providing HR services.
• KGR LawminorOthersBusiness operations partner providing legal services.
• Handler Thayer LLPminorOthersLegal counsel through Partner Andrew Morton, Chair of Sports and Entertainment Law Practice.
• Magnitude AgencyminorOthersBusiness operations partner for agency services.
• SO MarkminorOthersBusiness operations partner.
• Red Envelope ConsultingminorOthersBusiness operations partner for consulting services.
• Liftbridge CFOminorOthersBusiness operations partner providing CFO services.
• Indianapolis ColtscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerKicking the Stigma initiative provided $20,000 grant for free mental health counseling program for educators. Long-standing community partnership supporting FFLF mission.
• Firefly Children and Family AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner supporting children and family services aligned with FFLF mission.
• The Mind TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducation nonprofit partner supporting FFLF mission.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Communities In Schools: Communities In Schools is a national nonprofit that places coordinators inside schools to deliver wraparound supports (the "Be A Blessing" analog). Comparable as a youth-focused nonprofit integrating SEL/mental health and basic-needs services into K-12 settings.

Broad incumbents

• Committee for Children (Second Step): Second Step is one of the most widely adopted K-8 SEL curricula in U.S. schools. Comparable as an incumbent SEL content + implementation offering competing for the same school SEL budget line as Building Dreams.
• Navigate360: Navigate360 is an established K-12 safety, SEL, and behavior management suite serving thousands of districts. Comparable as a broader incumbent offering overlapping behavior/SEL capabilities within a wider school safety portfolio.
• ClassDojo: ClassDojo is a widely-used classroom management and SEL communication platform used in most U.S. elementary schools. Comparable as an incumbent EdTech player overlapping with Building Dreams on classroom behavior and family communication.

Direct peers

• Hero K-12: Hero K-12 is a school-wide PBIS behavior tracking and recognition platform with daily check-ins and points-based rewards, mirroring Building Dreams' Check In/Out and First Downs features for similar K-12 buyers.
• Branching Minds: Branching Minds is a K-12 MTSS platform that helps schools organize interventions, monitor student progress, and apply PBIS frameworks. Closely comparable to Building Dreams in MTSS workflow architecture and target buyer (school MTSS coordinators).
• Panorama Education: Panorama Education is the leading venture-backed K-12 SEL and MTSS data platform used by school districts nationwide. Directly comparable to FFLF's Building Dreams in targeting schools with SEL screening, PBIS/MTSS intervention tracking, and behavior/attendance analytics.
• Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports (PBISApps): PBISApps develops the School-Wide Information System (SWIS) and other PBIS data tools used by thousands of schools nationwide. Most direct comparable peer in PBIS-specific data infrastructure serving school behavior teams.
• Kickboard: Kickboard is a school behavior tracking and PBIS platform with point-based reinforcement systems similar to FFLF's "First Downs" feature. Directly comparable in product category and school-focused behavior intervention use case.

Emerging players

• Sanford Harmony: Sanford Harmony is a national SEL program for PreK-6 classrooms offering relationship-building lessons and tools. Partially comparable to Building Dreams around SEL instruction but lacks the MTSS data-tracking technology layer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Fight4LifeFound
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/FightForLifeFound
• Facebookfacebook.com/Fight4LifeFound
• Instagraminstagram.com/Fight4Lifefound
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fight-for-life-foundation

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Fight for Life Foundation